Steam-Using Facility Monitoring System

ABSTRACT

Suitability of an operational state of a steam-using equipment is accurately estimated to allow for early detection of a sign of abnormality in the steam-using equipment. A steam-using facility monitoring system (M) comprised of a steam-using equipment (4) includes a control state detector (D1) that detects a state of a steam controller (1) provided in a steam pipe (2) accompanying the steam-using equipment (4), and an operational state estimating means (5) having a signal input unit (S1) that inputs a detection signal (σi) from the control state detector (D1) and an operational state estimation unit (S2) that estimates the operational state of the steam-using equipment (4) based on one inputted detection signal (σi) or a preset particular combination of detection signals (σi).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/312,308 filed May 22, 2015, which is the United States National Phaseof International Application No. PCT/JP2015/064786 filed May 22, 2015,and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-107079 filedMay 23, 2014, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in theirentirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a steam-using facility comprised of asteam-using equipment.

BACKGROUND ART

In a steam-using facility comprised of a steam-using equipment, in theevent of failure of the steam-using equipment, repair or replacement ofthis steam-using equipment, moreover, stop of the operation of thesteam-using facility associated with such repair or replacement isrequired. This entails repair cost or replacement cost, and also resultsin loss of profit which would be obtained originally from the operationof the steam-using facility. Thus, there will occur significant loss.

According to a conventional practice implemented to address to theproblem above, the state of the steam-using equipment (e.g. a rotationalspeed in the case of a steam turbine) or a steam state such as a steampressure or steam flow rate of steam coming in/out of the steam-usingequipment is on-line monitored. So that, based on a change in these,abnormality in the steam-using equipment is detected before it causes afailure of the steam-using equipment, whereby development of the problemto failure of the steam-using equipment is inhibited.

SUMMARY Problem to be Solved by Invention

However, abnormality detected by the above-described conventional methodis abnormality due to a certain inconvenience already occurring in thesteam-using equipment. Thus, even though abnormality in an operationalstate of the steam-using equipment is sensed for preventing itsdevelopment to failure of the steam-using equipment, the certaininconvenience has already occurred in the steam-using equipment. As aresult, for checking or coping with the inconvenience, it is necessaryto stop a part or all of the operation. Thus, loss due to operation stopcould not be avoided.

In view of the above-described state of the art, the principal object ofthe present invention is to provide a steam-using facility monitoringsystem capable of accurately estimating suitability of an operationalstate of a steam-using equipment to allow for early sensing of a sign ofabnormality in the steam-using equipment.

Solution

A steam-using facility monitoring system comprised of a steam-usingequipment according to the present invention comprises:

a control state detector that detects a state of a steam controllerprovided in a steam pipe accompanying the steam-using equipment; and

an operational state estimating means having a signal input unit thatinputs a detection signal from the control state detector and anoperational state estimation unit that estimates the operational stateof the steam-using equipment based on one inputted detection signal or apreset particular combination of detection signals.

According to a finding made by the present inventors, in monitoring of asteam-using facility comprised of a steam-using equipment, if estimationof an operational state of the steam-using equipment is implemented bymonitoring a state of a steam controller, the estimation of theoperational state of the steam-using equipment is made possible from anovel viewpoint not found in the convention. Here, the language“steam-using equipment” is understood to represent a componentexemplified by a steam turbine, a heater, a heat exchanger, etc. thatconsumes steam for a particular purpose such as turbine rotation or heatexchange.

For instance, if abnormality develops in a steam controller (e.g. asteam trap for collecting drain such as condensed water in steam, avalve for controlling direction or amount of steam running in a steampipe, a strainer for removing foreign substance present in steam, etc.)for controlling state of steam coming in/out of the steam-usingequipment, this will lead to occurrence of unsuitability of the steamcoming in/out of the steam-using equipment for an operation of thissteam-using equipment (for instance, excessive amount of drain in thesteam pipe which gives a significant load on the steam-using equipmentor introduction of more than expected amount of steam into thesteam-using equipment, etc.); consequently, the risk of failureoccurrence in the steam-using equipment becomes high. Further, also whenabnormality develops in a “peripheral” equipment of the steam-usingequipment other than the steam controller, in association with thisabnormality, a certain abnormality will appear in the steam controllerbefore a failure in the steam-using equipment eventually occurs.Conventionally, after occurrence of inconvenience in the steam-usingequipment, abnormality in the operational state of the steam-usingequipment would be detected. In contrast, with the novel concept ofmonitoring of a state of the steam controller, abnormality in theoperational state of the steam-using equipment can be sensed in advanceat the time of occurrence of abnormality in the steam controller whichprecedes occurrence of inconvenience in the steam-using equipment.

Further, if determination is made not only on abnormality of the steamcontroller per se, but made in combination with determination ofindividual state of the steam controller or a combination of states of aplurality of steam controllers, it becomes also possible to determinethe suitability of the steam (suitability of its temperature, drainamount, etc.) coming in/out of the steam-using equipment or to determinewhether the steam-using equipment is allowing appropriate passage ofsteam or not. So that, suitability of the operational state of thesteam-using equipment can be estimated from such viewpoint ofpossibility of abnormality occurrence in future, such as whether thesteam-using equipment should be allowed to continue its operation as itis or whether there is risk of development of inconvenience withcontinued operation or not, etc.

Namely, with the above-described arrangement, the control state detectordetects a state of the steam controller, and in the operational stateestimating means, the operational state of the steam-using equipment isestimated based on one inputted detection signal or a preset particularcombination of detection signals detected by the control state detector.So, it becomes possible to determine whether continued operation of thesteam-using equipment if allowed will cause a problem or not, or whetherthe continued operation will lead to development of inconvenience ornot, etc. Thus, the suitability of an operational state of thesteam-using equipment including possibility of occurrence of abnormalityin future can be accurately estimated. Further, based on abnormality inthe steam controller preceding development of inconvenience in thesteam-using equipment, sign of abnormality in the steam-using equipmentcan be sensed early.

And, with the above-described possibility of accurate estimation of anoperational state of the steam-using equipment and early sensing of signof abnormality in the steam-using equipment, it becomes possible tospeedily and timely cope with abnormality before stopping of a part orentire steam-using facility becomes necessary. With this, loss due tooperation stop can be effectively reduced. Further, with early copingwith abnormality, operational loss due to abnormality occurring untilcoping can be effectively reduced and damage to the steam-using facilityassociated with the abnormality in the steam-using equipment or the liketoo can be effectively reduced.

Next, preferred embodiments of a steam-using facility evaluation systemrelating to this disclosure will be explained. It is understood howeverthat the embodiments disclosed below will not limit the scope of thisdisclosure.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the steam controller includes asteam trap and the control state detector includes a trap state detectorfor detecting a state of the steam trap.

Namely, with the above-described arrangement, by applying a steam trapmany of which are installed in the steam-using facility as the steamcontroller to the monitoring system of this disclosure, the operationalstate of the steam-using equipment can be estimated based on detectionsignals detected from the many steam traps, so that the operationalstate of the steam-using equipment can be estimated even moreaccurately. Further, the early sensing of a sign of abnormality in thesteam-using equipment can be made even more reliably.

According to one embodiment, preferably, a steam state detector isprovided for detecting a steam state in the steam pipe;

the signal input unit inputs also a detection signal from the steamstate detector; and

the operational state estimation unit estimates the operational state ofthe steam-using equipment based on the detection signals including thedetection signal from the steam state detector.

Namely, with the above-described arrangement, the steam state detectordetects a steam state (a pressure, a flow rate, etc.) in the steam pipeand in the operational state estimation unit, the operational state ofthe steam-using equipment is estimated based on the detection signalsincluding the detection signal from the steam state detector. Thus, theoperational state of the steam-using equipment can be estimated, basedon more information relating to the operation of the steam-usingequipment including the pressure or flow rate of the steam coming in/outof this steam-using equipment. With this, the suitability of theoperational state of the steam-using equipment can be estimated evenmore accurately and also the early sensing of a sign of abnormality inthe steam-using equipment can be made even more reliably.

According to one embodiment, preferably, there is provided a subequipment state detector for detecting a state of a sub equipmentaccompanying the steam-using equipment;

the signal input unit inputs also a detection signal from the subequipment state detector; and

the operational state estimation unit estimates the operational state ofthe steam-using equipment based on the detection signals including thedetection signal from the sub equipment state detector.

Namely, with the above-described arrangement, the sub equipment statedetector detects a state of a sub equipment accompanying the steam-usingequipment (an equipment operable in association with an operation of thesteam-using equipment, an equipment assisting an operation of thesteam-using equipment, etc.), and in the operational state estimationunit, the operational state of the steam-using equipment is estimatedbased on the detection signals including the detection signal from thesub equipment state detector. Thus, the operational state of thesteam-using equipment can be estimated, based on more informationrelating to the operation of the steam-using equipment including a stateof the sub equipment. With this, the suitability of the operationalstate of the steam-using equipment can be estimated even more accuratelyand also the early sensing of a sign of abnormality in the steam-usingequipment can be made even more reliably.

According to one embodiment, preferably, there is provided an equipmentstate detector for detecting a state of the steam-using equipment;

the signal input unit inputs also a detection signal from the equipmentstate detector; and

the operational state estimation unit estimates the operational state ofthe steam-using equipment based on the detection signals including thedetection signal from the equipment state detector.

Namely, with the above-described arrangement, the equipment statedetector detects a state of the steam-using equipment and in theoperational state estimation unit, the operational state of thesteam-using equipment is estimated based on the detection signalsincluding the detection signal from the equipment state detector. Thus,the operational state of the steam-using equipment can be estimated,based on more information relating to the operation of the steam-usingequipment including a state of the steam-using equipment per se. Withthis, the suitability of the operational state of the steam-usingequipment can be estimated even more accurately and also the earlysensing of a sign of abnormality in the steam-using equipment can bemade even more reliably.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the operational stateestimating means includes a storage unit for storing the detectionsignals inputted over time; and

the operational state estimation unit utilizes history of a particulardetection signal in estimating the operational state of the steam-usingequipment.

Namely, with the above-described arrangement, the operational state ofthe steam-using equipment is estimated with utilization of history of adetection signal. Thus, the estimation of the operational state of thesteam-using equipment is made possible from various viewpoints such asshowing of an abnormal value by a certain detection signal under asteady state, showing of an abnormal value by the value of the detectionsignal beyond a predetermined period, showing of abnormal variationpattern different from that of the time of normal operation by thevariation pattern of the detection signal, etc. With this, thesuitability of the operational state of the steam-using equipment can beestimated even more accurately and also the early sensing of a sign ofabnormality in the steam-using equipment can be made even more reliably.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the operational stateestimation unit estimates the operational state of the steam-usingequipment based on a change in detection result of the steam statedetector starting from activation of the steam-using equipment.

Namely, with the above-described arrangement, from a change in thedetection result of the steam state detector starting from activation ofthe steam-using equipment, it can be confirmed that steam has been fedwithout problem to the steam-using equipment, for example. In this way,the estimation of the operational state of the steam-using equipment ismade possible, with focusing on the time of activation. With this, thesuitability of the operational state of the steam-using equipment can beestimated even more accurately and also the early sensing of a sign ofabnormality in the steam-using equipment can be made even more reliably.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the operational stateestimating means includes an alarm unit for issuing a predeterminedalarm when the operational state estimation unit senses abnormality inthe operational state of the steam-using equipment.

Namely, with the above-described arrangement, by reporting sensedabnormality to a manager of the steam-using facility, a countermeasureagainst this abnormality can be taken timely in a reliable manner. Thus,the loss due to operation stop, operational loss associated withabnormality until countermeasure is taken, damage to the steam-usingfacility associated with abnormality in the steam-using equipment or thelike described above can be reduced even more effectively.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the operational stateestimation unit estimates a cause of abnormality based on one inputteddetection signal or a preset particular combination of detectionsignals, when abnormality is sensed in the operational state of thesteam-using equipment.

Namely, with the above-described arrangement, the operational stateestimation unit estimates a cause of abnormality. Thus, this arrangementcan eliminate the trouble for the manager of the steam-using facility toestimate a cause of abnormality after sensing of this abnormality. Witthis, the abnormality can be coped with even more speedily. Thus, theloss due to operation stop, operational loss associated with abnormalityuntil countermeasure is taken, damage to the steam-using facilityassociated with abnormality in the steam-using equipment or the likedescribed above can be reduced even more effectively.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the operational stateestimation unit generates countermeasure information for abnormalitybased on a cause of this abnormality.

Namely, with the above-described arrangement, the operational stateestimation unit estimates countermeasure information for abnormality.Thus, this arrangement can eliminate the trouble for the manager of thesteam-using facility to estimate countermeasure information forabnormality after sensing of this abnormality. Thus, the loss due tooperation stop, operational loss associated with abnormality untilcountermeasure is taken, damage to the steam-using facility associatedwith abnormality in the steam-using equipment or the like describedabove can be reduced even more effectively.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the control state detector isconfigured to detect temperature or vibration of the steam controller.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the operational stateestimation unit detects clogging or temperature change in the steamcontroller based on a detection signal from the control state detectorand estimates the operational state of the steam-using equipment basedon the clogging or temperature change in the steam controller.

According to one embodiment, preferably, the steam-using equipmentgenerates drain in association with consumption of steam; and

the steam controller is provided in an outlet pipe for discharging thedrain generated in the steam-using equipment and discharges the draingenerated in the steam-using equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing estimation of an operational state ofa steam-using equipment,

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a first embodiment,

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a second embodiment,

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a third embodiment,

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a third embodiment, and

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a fourth embodiment.

EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic of estimation of an operational state of asteam-using equipment by a steam-using facility monitoring system Mrelating to this disclosure. In particular, FIG. 1 shows a monitoringsystem for estimating an operational state of a steam-using equipment 4accompanied by a steam pipe 2 having a steam controller(s) 1 (a steamtrap, a valve, a strainer, etc.) and a sub equipment 3. Incidentally,the sub equipment 3 can be an equipment which operates in associationwith an operation of the steam-using equipment 4, an equipment whichassists an operation of the steam-using equipment 4, etc., exemplifiedby a compressor or a pump connected with a steam turbine as thesteam-using equipment 4.

Each steam controller 1 includes a control state detector D1 fordetecting a state of the steam controller 1 included in the steam pipe2. The steam pipe 2 incorporates a steam state detector D2 for detectinga steam state of the steam pipe 2. The sub equipment 3 and thesteam-using equipment 4 respectively include an equipment statedetectors D3 (an equipment state detector or a sub equipment statedetector) for detecting a state of the sub equipment 3 or thesteam-using equipment 4.

The monitoring system M consists essentially of the control statedetector D1, the steam state detector D2, the equipment state detectorD3, and an operational state estimating means S including a signal inputunit S1 for inputting detection signals (σi) from the respective statedetectors D1-D3, an operational state estimation unit S2 that estimatesthe operational state of the steam-using equipment based on inputteddetection signal (σi), a storage unit S3 for storing detection signals(σi) inputted over time, and an alarm unit S4 for issuing apredetermined alarm based on estimation result in the operational stateestimation unit S2.

In this monitoring system M, detection signals (σ1-σ4) from the controlstate detector D1, detection signals (σ5, σ6) from the steam statedetector D2, and detection signals (σ7, σ8) from the equipment statedetector D3 are inputted to the signal input unit S1. And, with thismonitoring system M, based on one of the inputted detection signals(σ1-σ8) or a preset particular combination of these detection signals(σ1-σ8), the operational state estimation unit S2 estimates anoperational state of the steam-using equipment. For instance, as shownin FIG. 1, a monitoring item M1 comprised of a combination of thedetection signals (σ1, σ4), a monitoring item M2 based on the detectionsignal (σ2), a monitoring item M3 comprised of a combination of thedetection signals (σ3, σ7, σ8), and a monitoring item M4 comprised of acombination of the detection signals (σ5, σ6) are produced from thedetection signals (σ1-σ8) and then based on these monitoring itemsM1-M4, an operational state of the steam-using equipment is estimated.When an abnormality is detected in the operational state of thesteam-using equipment, the alarm unit S4 issues a predetermined alarmand also based on one inputted detection signal (σi) or a presetparticular combination of detection signals (σi), cause of thisabnormality is estimated and countermeasure information for theabnormality will be generated based on the abnormality cause.

The estimation of cause of abnormality and estimation of countermeasureinformation by the operational state estimation unit S2 can be made bystoring in advance, in the storage unit S3, a correspondence table ofmonitoring items and abnormality causes, or a correspondence table ofabnormality causes and countermeasures therefor, etc. and referring tosuch correspondence tables.

The estimation of cause of abnormality and estimation of countermeasureinformation by the operational state estimation unit S2 can be madealso, when necessary, by utilizing history of a particular detectionsignal (σi) from the detection signals (σi) stored in the storage unitS3 or utilizing change in detection result of the control state detectorD1 starting from activation of the steam-using equipment 4.

The alarm issued by the alarm unit S4 alarms a manager of thesteam-using facility that an abnormality has been sensed in theoperational state of the steam-using equipment. In particular, this isdone by outputting, by an unillustrated outputting means, occurrence ofsensing of abnormality in the operational state of the steam-usingequipment or abnormality cause/countermeasure information or bytransmitting occurrence of sensing of abnormality in the operationalstate of the steam-using equipment or abnormality cause/countermeasureinformation to the manager of the steam-using equipment or to a computeror a communication terminal of a managing provider, etc.

According to the monitoring system M relating to this disclosure, forestimation of an operational state of the steam-using equipment 4, thesystem employs a state of the steam controller 1 which controls a stateof steam coming in/out of the steam-using equipment 4. By this, it ispossible to estimate whether steam coming in/out of the steam-usingequipment 4 is appropriate (its temperature, drain amount, etc.) orwhether the steam-using equipment 4 is passing the steam appropriatelyor not. As a result, it becomes possible to determine e.g. whether thesteam-using equipment 4 can continue its operation without any problemor whether continued operation thereof will present risk ofinconvenience or not, etc. Thus, the suitability of the operationalstate of the steam-using equipment 4 can be estimated accurately.Further, as it is also possible to sense such abnormality of the steamcontroller 1 which precedes occurrence of inconvenience in thesteam-using equipment 4, so that early and timely sensing of abnormalityin the steam-using equipment 4 is made possible.

Next, such estimation of an operational state of the steam-usingequipment by the steam-using facility monitoring system relating to thisdisclosure will be explained with reference to examples of first throughfourth embodiments to be described next.

First Embodiment

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement diagram showing periphery of a first steamturbine 10 as a steam-using equipment. This first steam turbine 1 isused for production of liquid fuel L by a compressor 11.

The first steam turbine 10 is connected to the compressor 11 acting as asub equipment. In operation, as steam St is fed from a steam pipe 12 tothe first steam turbine 10, the compressor 11 is driven. With thisdriving of the compressor 11, an amount of fuel gas F fed from a gaspipe 13 to the compressor 11 is compressed into the desired liquid fuelL. The produced liquid fuel L is discharged via a liquid fuel pipe 14.The steam St fed from a steam inlet pipe 12 to the first turbine 10 isdischarged via a steam outlet pipe 15. Further, the amount of steam Stfed to the first steam turbine 10 can be adjusted by an adjusting valve16 as a steam controller.

The first steam turbine 10 and the compressor 11 are connected via alubricant oil pipe 21 to a turbine pump 18 connected to a second steamturbine 17 as a steam-using equipment and a motor pump 20 driven by amotor 19. As steam St is fed to the second steam turbine 17 via a steaminlet pipe 22, the turbine pump 18 is driven. The steam St fed to thesecond turbine 17 via the steam inlet pipe 22 is discharged via a steamoutlet pipe 23. With driving of these turbine pump 18 and motor pump 20,lubricant oil O is fed to the first steam turbine 10 and the compressor11. With stable feeding of the lubricant oil O thereto, the first steamturbine 10 and the compressor 11 are driven smoothly.

Also, the feeding of the lubricant oil O to the first steam turbine 10and the compressor 11 is done basically by the motor pump 20. When afeeding pressure of the lubricant oil O falls below a set value, thelubricant oil O is fed also by the turbine pump 18. Therefore, in thecase of the feeding pressure of the lubricant oil O falling below theset value, through adjustment made by an adjusting valve 24 as a steamcontroller, the steam St by an amount required for a predeterminedoperation of the turbine pump 18 is fed to the second steam turbine 17.Incidentally, in case the feeding of the lubricant oil O is done by themotor pump 20 alone, too, through adjustment by the adjusting valve 24,the steam St by an amount for a slow-roll operation for warmup will befed to the second steam turbine 17.

Incidentally, in this first embodiment, the steam inlet pipes 12, 22 andthe steam outlet pipes 15, 23 correspond to the “steam pipe 2”illustrated in FIG. 1. The compressor 11, the gas pipe 13, the liquidfuel pipe 14, the turbine pump 18, the motor 19, the motor pump 20 andthe lubricant oil pipe 21 correspond to the “sub equipments 3”illustrated in FIG. 1.

The steam inlet pipe 12 and the steam outlet pipe 15 for the first steamturbine 10 incorporate pressure gauges 25, 26 as the steam statedetectors D2, which detect pressures of the steam passing through therespective sites. Further, the steam inlet pipe 12 for the first steamturbine 1 incorporates also a flow meter 27 as the steam state detectorD2, which detects a flow rate of steam St passing there. The gas pipe 13and the liquid fuel pipe 14 for the compressor 11 and the lubricant oilpipe 21 incorporate pressure gauges 28-31 as the equipment statedetectors D3, which detect pressures of the fuel gas F, the liquid fuelL and the lubricant oil O flowing through the respective sites. Further,the liquid fuel pipe 14 for the compressor 11 incorporates a flow meter32 as the equipment state detector D3 (a sub equipment state detector),which detects a flow rate of the liquid fuel L. Further, the rotationalspeed of the first steam turbine 10 is detected by a rotational speedmeter 33 as the equipment state detector D3 (sub equipment statedetector) connected to the first steam turbine 10. Also, the motor pump20 incorporates a temperature vibration sensor 34 as the equipment statedetector D3 (sub equipment state detector), which detects temperature orvibration of the motor pump 20. And, various information detected bythese detectors 25-34 are transmitted to the operational stateestimating means S.

The steam inlet pipe 12 and the steam outlet pipe 15 for the first steamturbine 10, the steam inlet pipe 22 and the steam outlet pipe 23 for thesecond steam turbine 17 and the second steam turbine 17 incorporatesteam traps T1-T6 as steam controllers. And, the steam traps T1-T6respectively incorporate the control state detectors (trap statedetectors) D1 for detecting state information (temperature, vibration,etc.). The state information of the respective steam traps T1-T6detected by the control state detectors D1 are transmitted to theoperational state estimating means S.

In the monitoring system M, the detection signals transmitted from thecontrol state detectors D1 or the detectors 25-34 are inputted to thesignal input unit S1 of the operational state estimating means S andbased on these inputted detection signals, the operational stateestimation unit S2 effects estimation of the operational states of thefirst steam turbine 10 and the second steam turbine 17 as thesteam-using equipments.

Monitoring items in the estimation of the first and second steamturbines 10, 17 include the following examples:

(1) checking of operations of the first steam turbine 10 and thecompressor 2, based on the detection signals from the pressure gauge 25and the flow meter 27 of the steam inlet pipe 12, the pressure gauge 26of the steam outlet pipe 15, the pressure gauge 28 of the gas pipe 13,the pressure gauge 29 and the flow meter 32 of the liquid fuel pipe 14,and the rotational speed meter 33 of the first steam turbine 10;

(2) checking of an operation of the motor pump 20 based on the detectionsignal from the pressure gauge 30 of the lubricant oil pipe 21;

(3) checking of an operation of the turbine pump 18 based on thedetection signal from the pressure gauge 31 of the lubricant oil pipe 21at the time of operation of the turbine pump 18; and

(4) checking of an operation of the motor 19 based on the detectionsignal from the temperature-vibration sensor 34 of the motor 19.

Further, this monitoring system M monitors such items as follows basedon the detection signals from the control state detectors D1:

(5) checking whether the first steam turbine 10 is under a state standbyfor operation immediately or not (e.g. risk of occurrence of waterhammering) by checking present/absence of drain accumulation in thesteam traps T1 and T2 at the time of standby of the first steam turbine10;

(6) checking risk of drain mixing in the steam to be fed to the firststeam turbine by checking presence/absence of drain accumulation in thesteam traps T1 and T2 during operation of the first steam turbine 10;

(7) confirming that steam has been fed to the first steam turbine 10without any problem by checking whether the temperatures of the steamtraps T1, T2 vary appropriately at the time of activation of the firststeam turbine 10;

(8) checking whether the second steam turbine 17 is under a statestandby for operation immediately or not (e.g. risk of occurrence ofwater hammering) by checking present/absence of drain accumulation inthe steam traps T3-T6 at the time of standby of the second steam turbine17;

(9) checking risk of drain mixing in the steam to be fed to the secondsteam turbine 17 by checking presence/absence of drain accumulation inthe steam traps T3-T6 during operation of the second steam turbine 17;

(10) confirming that steam has been fed to the second steam turbine 17without any problem by checking whether the temperatures of the steamtraps T3-T6 vary appropriately at the time of activation of the secondsteam turbine 17; and

(11) determining whether flow rate reduction in the liquid fuel L isattributable to the steam side or the gas side based on a turbineefficiency, by a turbine efficiency of the first steam turbine 10 basedon input/output pressures of steam for the first steam turbine 10obtained by the pressure gauges 25, 26 of the steam inlet pipe 12 andthe steam outlet pipe 15 as the steam state detectors D2, thetemperatures of steam of the steam traps T1 and T2 obtained by thecontrol state detectors D1 and the rotational speed of the first steamturbine 10 obtained by the rotational speed meter 33 of the first steamturbine 10 as the equipment state detector D2, in case such flow ratereduction of the liquid fuel L is detected from the detection signalfrom the flow meter 32 of the liquid fuel pipe 14.

According to this monitoring system M, based on comprehensive judgmentof the monitoring items (1) through (11) described above, estimations ofthe operational states of the first and second steam turbines 10, 17 areeffected. In particular, in this monitoring system M, the estimations ofthe operational states of the first and second steam turbines 10, 17 usethe detection signals from the control state detectors D1, so, thechecking whether the steam-using equipment is under standby state forimmediate activation, checking of risk of drain mixing of fed steam,checking of flow of steam at the time of activation of the steam-usingequipment, estimation of cause of abnormality, etc. as shown by themonitoring items (5) through (11) above which are absent in theconventional art are made possible also.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 3 shows an arrangement diagram showing periphery of a steam turbine40 as a steam-using equipment Us. This steam turbine 40 is used forfeeding of steam producing water to a waste heat boiler (not shown) in asteam-using facility.

The periphery of the steam turbine 40 is comprised of a turbine pump 41connected to the steam turbine 40 and a motor pump 43 driven by a motor42. The turbine pump 41 is driven with feeding of steam St to the steamturbine 40 from a steam inlet pipe 45 communicated to a main pipe 44.With driving of these turbine pump 41 and motor pump 43, steam-producingwater W is fed to the waste heat boiler via a water feed pipe 47. Thesteam St fed to the steam turbine 40 via the steam inlet pipe 45 isdischarged via a steam outlet pipe 46. The amount of steam St fed to thesteam turbine 40 is adjustable by an adjusting valve 48 acting as asteam controller.

Feeding of steam-producing water W to the waste heat boiler is donebasically by the motor pump 43. When a feeding pressure of the water Wfalls below a preset value, feeding of the water W is done additionallyby the turbine pump 41. Therefore, only when the feeding pressure of thewater W falls below the preset value, through adjustment by theadjusting valve 48, an amount of steam St needed for a predeterminedoperation of the turbine pump 41 is fed to the steam turbine 40. In casethe feeding of water W is effected by the motor pump 43 alone, thefeeding of steam St from the steam inlet pipe 45 is not effected.Incidentally, the steam turbine 40 is aerated by the steam St of thestem outlet pipe 46.

The turbine pump 41 and an inlet side water feed pipe 47 a and an outletside water feed pipe 47 b for the turbine pump 41 respectively include atrace pipe 49 for passing the steam St for heat exchange with therespective sites. And, with repetition of feeding or blocking of feedingof the steam St to the trace pipe 49 as needed, the amount and thetemperature of the steam St to be passed are varied, thereby to maintainthe temperature of the water W passing therethrough at an appropriatetemperature. Drain such as condensate or condensed water changed fromthe fed steam St and accumulated in the trace pipes 49 will bedischarged by the steam traps T11-T13 incorporated in the respectivetrace pipes 49.

Incidentally, in this second embodiment, the steam inlet pipe 45 and thesteam outlet pipe 46 correspond to the steam pipes 2 shown in FIG. 1;and the turbine pump 41, the motor 42, the motor pump 43, and the waterfeed pipe 47 correspond to the sub equipments 3 shown in FIG. 1. Thetrace pipes 49 act as the steam pipes 2 and also as the steam-usingequipments 4.

The main pipe 44 incorporates a pressure gauge 50 and a flow meter 51 asthe steam state detectors D2, and the pressure gauge 50 and the flowmeter 51 detect a pressure and a flow rate of the steam St to be fedfrom the main pipe 44 to the steam inlet pipe 45. The water feed pipe 47incorporates a pressure gauge 52 as an equipment state detector D3 (asub equipment state detector), which detects a discharge pressure of thewater W for steam production to be fed to the waste heat boiler. Thesteam turbine 40 incorporates a rotational speed meter 53 as anequipment state detector D3, which detects a rotational speed of thesteam turbine 40. The motor 42 incorporates an ammeter 54 as anequipment state detector D3 (a sub equipment state detector), whichdetects a current value of the motor 42. Further, the motor 42incorporates also a temperature vibration sensor 55 as an equipmentstate detector D3 (a sub equipment state detector), which detects atemperature or vibration of the motor 42. The various informationdetected by these detectors 50-55 are transmitted to the operationalstate estimating means S.

In addition to the trace pipes 49, the main pipe 44, and the steam inletpipe 45 and the steam outlet pipe 46 for the steam turbine 40 tooincorporate steam traps T (T7-T10); and the respective stream traps T(T7-T13) incorporate control state detectors (trap state detectors) D1for detecting state information (temperature, vibration, etc.) The stateinformation of the respective steam traps T detected by these controlstate detectors D1 are transmitted to the operational state estimatingmeans S.

In the monitoring system M, the detection signals transmitted from thecontrol state detectors D1 or the detectors 50-55 are inputted to thesignal input unit S1 of the operational state estimating means S andbased on these inputted detection signals, the operational stateestimation unit S2 effects estimation of the operational state of thesteam turbine 40 as the steam-using equipment.

Monitoring items in the estimation of the steam turbine 40 include thefollowing examples:

(i) checking of operation of the steam turbine 40, based on thedetection signals from the pressure gauge 50 and the flow meter 51 ofthe main pipe; and

(ii) checking of an operation of the motor 42 and the motor pump 43,based on detection signals from the pressure gauge 52 of the water feedpipe 47, the ammeter 54 and the temperature vibration sensor 55 of themotor 42.

Further, in this monitoring system M, based on the detection signalsfrom the control state detectors D1, monitoring items as follows arealso monitored.

(iii) checking whether the steam turbine 40 is under a state standby foroperation immediately or not (e.g. risk of occurrence of waterhammering) by checking present/absence of drain accumulation in thesteam traps T7-T10 at the time of standby of the steam turbine 40;

(iv) checking risk of drain mixing in the steam to be fed to the steamturbine 40 by checking presence/absence of drain accumulation in thesteam traps T7-T10 during operation of the steam turbine 40;

(v) confirming that steam has been fed to the steam turbine 40 withoutany problem by checking whether the temperatures of the steam trap T9varies appropriately at the time of activation of the steam turbine 40;

(vi) checking the risk of freezing of the water feed pipe 47 by checkingthe operation of the trace pipes 49 by checking presence/absence ofdrain accumulation in the steam traps T11-T13.

According to this monitoring system M, based on comprehensive judgmentof the monitoring items (i) through (vi) described above, estimations ofthe operational state of the steam turbine 40 is effected. Inparticular, in this monitoring system M, the estimation of theoperational state of the steam turbines 40 uses the detection signalsfrom the control state detectors D1, so, the checking of theabove-described monitoring items (iii)-(vi), i.e. whether thesteam-using equipment is under standby state for immediate activation,checking of risk of drain mixing of fed steam, checking of flow of steamat the time of activation of the steam-using equipment, checking of therisk of freezing of the water feed pipe 47, etc. which are absent in theconventional art are made possible also.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 4 shows an arrangement diagram showing periphery of a heater 60 asa steam-using equipment. As high-temperature steam flows through steampipes 61, 62 extending in this heater 60, a heating object (“an objectto be heated” not shown) is heated.

On an exit side 61 a of the steam pipe 61 extending through the heater60, in the order from the upstream side thereof, there are disposedtemperature sensors 63, an upstream pipe 64, strainers 65, steam trapsT, and a downstream pipe 66. The respective strainer 65 is connectedwith a discharge pipe 68 having a valve 67. Foreign substance collectedby the strainer 65 is discharged via the discharge pipe 68. And, thestrainers 65 and the steam traps T respectively incorporate a controlstate detector D1 for detecting state information (temperature,vibration, etc.) thereof. These state information of the respectivesteam traps T detected by the control state detectors D1 are transmittedto the operational state estimating means S. Incidentally, though notshown, on the exit side of the steam pipe 62 too, there is provided asimilar arrangement to that on the exit side 61 a of the steam pipe 61.Further, the respective steam pipes 61, 62 further include otherunillustrated pressure gauges or flow meters.

According to the monitoring system M, the detection signals transmittedfrom the control state detectors D1 and the temperature sensor 63provided in the strainers 65 and the steam traps T are inputted to thesignal input unit S1 of the operational state estimating means S. Then,based on these inputted detection signals, the operational stateestimation unit S2 effects estimation of the operational state of theheater 60 as a steam-using equipment.

In the heater 60, control of a steam amount or the like is effected tomaintain its heating temperature constant. However, if a detectedtemperature from the temperature sensor 63 changes beyond an allowablerange due to a certain problem, an alarm will be issued and theoperation of the heater 60 will be stopped for safety and checking.

On the other hand, according to the monitoring system M relating to thisdisclosure, in the estimation of the operational state of the heater 60,detection signals of the control state detectors D1 of the strainers 65and the steam traps T are employed. Therefore, a sign of abnormality inthe operational state of the heater 60 can be sensed early from thestrainers 65 and the steam traps T before detection of an abnormaltemperature by the temperature sensor 63. With this, it becomes possibleto cope with abnormality before stop of the operation of the heater 60occurs.

The above will be explained with showing an example thereof. Namely,FIG. 5 shows time changes in the detection signals from the controlstate detectors D1 and the temperature sensor 63 incorporated in thestrainers 65 and the steam traps T in case clogging has occurred in thesteam trap T. In FIG. 5, a mark (ta) represents a timing of occurrenceof clogging in the steam trap T, a mark (tb) represents a timing ofoccurrence of a change in the steam trap T, a mark (tc) represents atiming of occurrence of a change in the strainer 65, and a mark (td)represents a timing of occurrence of sensing of low temperatureabnormality from the temperature sensor 63. As may be apparent from FIG.5, prior to the sensing of temperature abnormality from the detectionsignal from the temperature sensor 63, sign of certain abnormality canbe sensed from change in the detection signals of the strainer 65 andthe steam trap T. In particular, the detection signal of the steam trapT can sense the sign of abnormality immediately after the occurrence ofclogging in the steam trap T.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 6 shows an arrangement diagram showing periphery of a heatexchanger 70 as a steam-using equipment. As high-temperature steam isintroduced to this heater exchange 70 via an inlet pipe 71, heatexchange is effected inside a heat exchanging unit 70 a inside thereof.And, steam after the heat exchange is discharged via an outlet pipe 72and drain generated from the heat exchange is discharged from the heatexchanger 70. The drain flowing in the outlet pipe 72 is discharged viathe steam trap T provided in the outlet pipe 72. The steam trap Tincorporates a control state detector (trap state detector) D1 fordetecting state information (temperature, vibration, etc.). The stateinformation of the steam trap T detected by this control state detectorD1 is transmitted to the operational state estimating means S. Further,the heat exchanger 70 includes a temperature sensor 73 and a temperaturedetected by this temperature sensor 73 is transmitted also to theoperational state estimating means S.

In the monitoring system M, the detection signals transmitted from thecontrol state detector D1 and the temperature sensor 73 are inputted tothe signal input unit S1 of the operational state estimating means S.Then, based on these inputted detection signals, the operational stateestimation unit S2 estimates an operational state of the heat exchanger70 as a steam-using equipment.

In the heat exchanger 70, if e.g. clogging has occurred in the steamtrap T, drain flowing in the outlet pipe 72 will not be dischargedeffectively from the steam trap T. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, thedrain will be accumulated gradually inside the heat exchanger 70, whichcauses progressive decrease in the heat exchanging area in the heatexchanging unit 70 a, thus impairing the heat exchange. And, if suchdrain accumulation is allowed to continue, this eventually may result indamage of the heat exchanger in the worst case.

If such drain accumulation as above occurs, temperature abnormalityoccurs in the heat exchanger 70 correspondingly, so that thistemperature abnormality is detected by the temperature sensor 73. So,the occurrence of this drain accumulation inconvenience is sensed priorto damage of the heat exchanger 70. And, in the case of such sensing oftemperature abnormality, there arises a need to stop the operation ofthe heat exchanger 70 in order to solve the drain accumulation. This isbecause the detection of temperature abnormality by the temperaturesensor 73 is done not at the timing of occurrence of clogging in thesteam trap T which is the cause of the drain accumulation, but after thedrain accumulation has developed to a certain degree with lapse of apredetermined period after the clogging of the steam trap T.

On the other hand, according to the monitoring system M relating to thisdisclosure, in the estimation of the operational state of the heatexchanger 70 as a steam-using equipment, the detection signal of thecontrol state detector D1 for detecting a state of the steam trap T isemployed. Therefore, abnormality can be sensed at the timing ofoccurrence of clogging in the steam trap T, so a sign of abnormality ina steam-using equipment can be sensed early and timely.

Incidentally, the estimating means of an operational state of asteam-using equipment in the steam-using facility monitoring systemrelating to this disclosure is not limited to that shown in the firstthrough fourth embodiments shown above, but can be configuredappropriately in accordance with a steam-using facility of interest.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The steam-using facility monitoring system relating to this disclosurecan be applied to monitoring of a variety of steam-using facilities.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE MARKS/NUMERALS

M: monitoring system

D1: control state detector, trap state detector

D2: steam state detector

D3: equipment state detector, sub equipment state detector

σi: detection signal

S: operational state estimating means

S1: signal input unit

S2: operational state estimation unit

S3: storage unit

S4: alarm unit

1: steam controller

2: steam pipe

3: sub equipment

4: steam-using equipment

T: steam trap

1. A steam-using facility monitoring system, comprising: a control statedetector that detects a state of a steam trap, wherein the steam trap isin a steam pipe external a steam-using equipment that consumes steamfrom the steam pipe for a particular purpose, and wherein the controlstate detector is incorporated in the steam trap; and an operationalstate estimating means having a signal input unit that inputs adetection signal from the control state detector and an operationalstate estimation unit that estimates an operational state of thesteam-using equipment based on one inputted detection signal or a presetparticular combination of detection signals, wherein the operationalstate includes a risk of an inconvenience developing in the steam-usingequipment with continued operation of the steam-using equipment.
 2. Themonitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising: a steamstate detector that detects a steam state in the steam pipe, wherein thesignal input unit further inputs a detection signal from the steam statedetector, and wherein the operational state estimation unit estimatesthe operational state of the steam-using equipment based on the presetparticular combination of detection signals including the detectionsignal from the steam state detector and the detection signal from thecontrol state detector.
 3. The monitoring system according to claim 1,further comprising: a sub equipment state detector that detects a stateof a sub equipment accompanying the steam-using equipment, wherein thesignal input unit further inputs a detection signal from the subequipment state detector, and wherein the operational state estimationunit estimates the operational state of the steam-using equipment basedon the preset particular combination of detection signals including thedetection signal from the sub equipment state detector and the detectionsignal from the control state detector.
 4. The monitoring systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising: an equipment state detectorthat detects a state of the steam-using equipment, wherein the signalinput unit further inputs a detection signal from the equipment statedetector, and wherein the operational state estimation unit estimatesthe operational state of the steam-using equipment based on the presetparticular combination of detection signals including the detectionsignal from the equipment state detector and the detection signal fromthe control state detector.
 5. The monitoring system according to claim1, wherein the operational state estimating means includes a storageunit that stores the one inputted detection signal inputted over time orthe preset particular combination of detection signals inputted overtime, and wherein the operational state estimation unit estimates theoperational state of the steam-using equipment based on (i) the storedone inputted detection signal inputted over time or (ii) the presetparticular combination of detection signals inputted over time and thedetection signal from the control state detector.
 6. The monitoringsystem according to claim 2, wherein the operational state estimationunit estimates the operational state of the steam-using equipment basedon a change in the steam state detected by the steam state detectorstarting from an activation of the steam-using equipment.
 7. Themonitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the operational stateestimating means includes an alarm that issues a predetermined alarmwhen the operational state estimation unit senses an abnormality in theoperational state of the steam-using equipment.
 8. The monitoring systemaccording to claim 7, wherein the operational state estimation unitestimates a cause of the abnormality based on the one inputted detectionsignal or the preset particular combination of detection signals, whenthe abnormality is sensed in the operational state of the steam-usingequipment.
 9. The monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein theoperational state estimation unit generates countermeasure informationfor the abnormality based on the cause of the abnormality.
 10. Themonitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the control statedetector detects a temperature or a vibration of the steam trap as thestate of the steam trap.
 11. The monitoring system according to claim 1,wherein the operational state estimation unit detects a clog or atemperature change in the steam trap based on the detection signal fromthe control state detector and estimates the operational state of thesteam-using equipment based on the clog or the temperature change in thesteam trap.
 12. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein thesteam-using equipment generates drain in association with consumption ofsteam, wherein the steam trap is in an outlet pipe for discharging thedrain generated in the steam-using equipment, and wherein the steam trapdischarges the drain generated in the steam-using equipment.